In March, we represented Adventure Cycling at the League of American Bicyclists’ National Bike Summit in Washington, D.C. And it was nothing short of energizing.
From chatting with advocates from across the country to riding the city’s bike infrastructure to meeting directly with policymakers, the event reinforced just how powerful the movement for safer, more connected cycling truly is. Sometimes our work can feel a little niche, like you’re a “bike nerd” and not everyone gets it. But being in a room full of people who do get it was a reminder that this movement is so much bigger than we can often see.
Here are a few of our biggest takeaways.
A National Community, All in One Place
One of the summit’s most striking features was the sheer scale of representation. Advocates from 44 states plus D.C. brought perspectives from their communities. Sharing space with so many passionate people made one thing clear: This is not a niche movement — it’s a national one. And it’s growing.
Tabling was a major highlight. We connected with longtime advocates, new riders just discovering this work, and organizations making an impact across the bike ecosystem. The latter included Ticket to Ride’s efforts to help more people, especially those in rural areas, commute by bike and Bike the North Country’s work to secure more funding for cycling infrastructure in New Hampshire.
These conversations reinforced how broad, diverse, and down right excited the cycling community is right now. And sometimes, they happened in unexpected places, such as an elevator at the Capitol where we ran into folks from the Appalachian Mountain Club. Afterwards, we set aside a copy of Adventure Cyclist magazine’s Spring 2025 issue, which includes a feature on AMC’s work to increase cycling access in Maine, for them. Unfortunately, someone snagged it from our table before we could give it to them. Sorry AMC!
Experiencing D.C. by Bike
The summit didn’t only happen inside conference rooms; it was how we moved through the city. Thanks to a partnership between the League of American Bicyclists and Capital Bikeshare, attendees received bikeshare credits, giving us freedom to explore on two wheels.
We embraced it.
By riding between sessions, monuments, and neighborhoods. We saw firsthand how bike infrastructure can shape a city. One thing that stood out was how bikeshare stations were integrated throughout D.C., especially at Metro stops and near major landmarks, making it easy to combine biking with public transit.
A few of our favorite moments include: a night ride of the monuments led by Jeff Miller of DC Cycling Concierge; visiting the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, a powerful space right on the National Mall; and riding through blooming cherry blossoms at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, which added a sense of place that was uniquely D.C. to our trip.
In the Halls of Power
Lobby Day was one of the most meaningful parts of the experience. With support and preparation from the League, including training webinars on key policies and effectively engaging congressional offices, we walked into our meeting with Montana Senator Steve Daines’ office ready to share our stories and priorities. And to listen.
As part of the Montana delegation of cycling advocates (alongside League staffer and former Adventure Cycling team member Ally Mabry), we pushed for federal programs that support safer, connected cycling and shared how these investments impact communities on the ground. That included:
The Sarah Debbink Langenkamp Active Transportation Safety Act, which would give states and local governments more flexibility to fund safe biking and walking infrastructure by better aligning federal safety dollars with local priorities.
The Transportation Alternatives Program, the nation’s largest dedicated source of funding for local bike, pedestrian, and trail projects that help build safer, more connected communities.
The Safe Streets and Roads for All program, which funds community-led efforts to reduce traffic fatalities and create safer streets for road users.
What stood out most wasn’t only the policies; it was the engagement. Thoughtful questions were asked. Notes were taken. There was a readiness to understand how these programs impact real communities. It was a reminder that advocacy isn’t abstract. It’s personal, and it works.
Bringing it Back Home
Beyond the big moments, the sessions themselves provided us with valuable insights we’re excited to bring back to our work at Adventure Cycling.
Economic Impact is a Powerful Tool
A session on cycling and trail economics underlined just how compelling that data can be. Presenters included the East Coast Greenway Alliance’s Allison Burson, the Kansas Department of Transportation’s Jenny Kramer, the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council’s Kim DeLaney, and the Iowa Bicycle Coalition’s Luke Hoffman.
Each outlined how to craft an economic impact study that actually moves the needle, including scope, methodology, funding, and how findings can be used to support advocacy and investment. Across the examples, one thing was clear: Cycling and trail investments generate meaningful, tangible benefits, especially when they attract visitors and support local businesses.
As one presenter noted, this kind of analysis can feel daunting, particularly for those without an economics background, but new tools, shared methodologies, and peer examples are making it easier to estimate and communicate the impact our work has.
Numbers matter, and these are numbers that resonate. As more communities quantify cycling’s economic impact, it becomes easier to secure investment for safer routes, better connections, and long-distance networks. This directly supports Adventure Cycling’s mission to inspire, empower, and connect people through bicycle travel.
Rural Communities Are Key
If you’re an advocate for bikes, you must also be an advocate for transportation — those two things can’t be separated.
That framing grounded the entire conversation around building bicycle infrastructure in rural areas because cycling is not just about recreation — it’s about how people move through their communities and access everything from healthcare to well-paying jobs.
In rural communities especially, the intersection between recreation and transportation is critical. When cycling is viewed as part of a broader transportation system, it opens the door to inclusive, connected, and impactful solutions.
Expanding Bicycle Access on Trains
A session titled Enhancing Amtrak’s Bicycle Accessibility: Insights from Europe showed how European rail systems have made traveling with a bike easier for passengers and what lessons from across the pond could be applied in the U.S. Key takeaways included improving reservation systems, expanding onboard bike services, and improving station-level support.
Many of these conversations are being driven by the Amtrak Bike Task Force, which includes Adventure Cycling.
Mariah Morales, Amtrak’s senior director of external and regulatory affairs, also shared what’s ahead for the national passenger railroad. One of the most exciting updates is its new Airo passenger trains. These next-generation trains aim to make traveling with a bike significantly easier by increasing onboard bike storage, installing new bike hooks that fit wide mountain bike tires, and eliminating the need to remove the front wheel, making it easier and quicker to get on and off.
When Advocacy Moves to the Streets
The summit’s final day took an unexpected and meaningful new direction. Instead of a traditional closing session, hundreds of cyclists gathered for a protest ride along 15th Street to advocate against the removal of a protected bike lane. This wasn’t just symbolic. The lane hadn’t only improved traffic flow, it also reduced cyclist crashes by around 46 percent and reduced cyclist injuries by a whopping 90 percent.
And yet, despite that quantifiable success, it was still at risk from federal agencies.
Riding through our country’s seat of power alongside commuters, families, and everyday riders was one of the most memorable moments of our trip. The energy was undeniable, with signs, cheers from passing cars, and a strong sense of collective purpose.
It was our first time participating in something like this — where advocacy, community, and action came together in real time. And it won’t be the last. We left D.C. feeling energized, inspired, and more connected than ever to this nationwide movement.
To support Adventure Cycling’s advocacy work, as well as our other programs, consider donating or becoming a member today!
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